I'm sure if you paint it then it will look fabulous, but I prefer brick. If you whitewash, then I'd recommend doing it *lightly* so that it is easier to be undone, and if you like it, then keep it or do even more... Dori :-]

I love the coziness of natural brick, but the whitewash does, as you said, let some of that warmth of the brick through. I agree with Wendy-the white is too stark. And as you said, you can't undo it without calling in the sandblasting men from the Mojave Desert.

Im in the same boat as you! I got a massive red brick fireplace and was leaning towards white washing just the upper portion to make the room feel (and hopefully) look bigger. Id love to see which way you go with your fireplace! Good luck!

I think it depends on your decor. A country look might call more for the white wash while a contemporary feel might call more for the white paint or other more dramatic color. In any event, natural stone is a good thing with or without paint.